Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-06

Will involve you In perils where do not
Lead" said Mccullough, moving around
to see that hfs men were comfortably
bestowed.
"Will there be no danger of the Indians
ssllying out and attacking us?" asked
Paul Malerson.
"Not while Lagona's word is passed
and my flag is flying" said the ranger.
81 would not trust a yellow-skinned
Mexican if he bad sworn to truce; but
an Indian, as i1Tave and proud as Lsgona
will not tell d lie.''
Gle stole Hy daughter after he had
promised not to-" said Delorme.
"Not till after he had left your roof,
refusing presents and favors from you
END Paul." said the major.
CHAPTER xxx.
Back, not quarter of a mile beyond
it's dark and yawning mouth, that narrow
and fearful pass opened into very lap
of paradise. Hemmei in upon every
side, there lay valley of many hundred
acres in extent, fertile almost beyond
onceptiOn-certainly beyond adequate
description. There were broad savan-
nahs, upon which great herds of horses
and cattle were feeding; fields, also. of
grain and fruit, fenced in with hedges of
thCrny cactus; and the smoke of hundreds
OF unique lodges rose in the otherwise
transparent and balmy atmosphere.
Children-the dGskY sciOns of the Lipan
and the COmanche-cOuldb be seen playing
around in the pleasant avenues; mounted
warriors, armed cap-a- pie. rode to and
fro, exercising themselves and training
their wild steedS; and groups Of women,
here and there, were using that tireless
weapon of offense and defense, so pecu-
liarly their oWn-the tongue.
At the 1avine, or pass, from it's inner
end to very near the outside, 8 strong
gaurd of watchful sentinels was posted,
and it would seem impossible that the
camp should be surprised, except by one
who descended from the clouds.
In the center of this camp, or village,
was lodge, much larger than the rest,
arranged with several compartments.
The shields and plumes outside and upon
top of this denoted that it belonged to
the chief, and to this LagOna returned
after his interview with Major McCul-
Tough under the truce flag.
/ Before the entrance stood two sentinels
showing that any attempt made by Stella
to leave when the chief was absent would
be prevented.
In the inner apartment, seated in an
I
despair, WAS the poor girl when Lagona
and Ada MCAlpin returned. She looked
up, with her large, fearful eyes, when he
entered; and an expression of mournful
reproach from her went deeper far into
his heart, than would the most bitter re-
| prOaches, the most indignant rebukes.
The food which had been placed before
her WAS untasted-the fruit untouched
her eyes were red with weeping; her pale
face and sunl<en cheeks told how much
agony she suffered.
''If the White Flower does not eat she
will de-" said the chief, sadly.
"Of what use is life to me when I am
deprived Of liberty?" replied Stella,
mournfuI]y. "If you cage bird it will
pine away and die"
eff the White Flower will swear, in
the name of the Great Spirit, that she
will not try to go away from my village,
she shall not be confined or guarded"
said Lagona.
"She cannot do so! If 1 can escape, !
will-if l cannot, will die, and go up to |
the Great Spirit and say that Lagona
murdered mel"
The Comanche chief seemed troubled |
Evidently he did not wish to treat Stella |
harshly-perhaps, had he been left en-
tirely 10 himself, he would have been |
willing to give her up to her father rather |
than to see her suffer thus; but Ada, willy |
and smart, had gained considerable as
Cendancy over him by her pretended |
power Of dreams; and this, of course,
was used to further her own desires in
regard to the punishment OF Stella, so far
as she could act without arousing his
sympathy too much for his captive. And
+ bor Ioli ha L. |
or do anything to torture the already too
wretched girl.
Chow would Stella like to see her
father and sweet, dear Master Paul Nal
erson?" she asked in a sneering tone,
while Lagona was for moment absent.
Stella made no answer, but the thought
thus cruelty awakened drew tears from
her eyes.
"They inquired after your health little
while ago-would have been glad to see
you, but we told them you didn't receive
company during the honeymoon" con-
tinued Ada.
ooh, heavens! are they near?" sobbed
Stella. "Have you seen my father? Do {
not deceive me. I forgive your hatred
and your wrongs; but do not deceive me.
Is my father near?"
~ saw him less than a half hour ago;
and he was very angry because he could
not see you!" said Ada, with mocking
smile.
"On your soul, you did? You are not s
uttering falsehood?"
"On my soul, did. 1 wouldn't take 7
the trouble to lie for you"
ooh, thank God-thank God! Lsgona
will not see me die when they are near. {
There is some manhood in his soul. {
Thank God-thank God!" said Stella, al I
most wild with excitement.
"Whst is the matter with the White l
Flower?" asked Lagona, sternly, coming 1
in st this time.
"Oh, If there is mercy in your heart, in '
the name of the Great Spirit, implore 3
you to take me to my father! ~ cried L
Stella, throwing herself at Lagona's feet. 7
"Have you been telling her that we
have seen her fathe1?" asked Lagona, e
With frown, turning to Ada. 1
"She asked me questions, and l could !
lot lie," said Ada in an humble tone. L
"You are fool" said the angry chief; 4
Ind he turned upon his heel and left the t
odge, without giving any answer to the S
equest of poor Stella.
CHAPTER XII. i
1t was night once more. The camp of n
he Rangers was gloomy and silent one, q
or the men were tired, and though they h
rejoiced in the thought of peril, il
II an approaching battle, they did not 8
low, for they knew if they had to fight it b
would be with every disadvantage of po- $
ition, and probably with overwhelming
dds against them. u
Very shortly after darkness set in the "
IA jor withdrew behind screen of horse Il
lsnkets, which he had caused to be a.
L.. A. =.